Jorge Sampaoli has shown nothing during his tenure so far to suggest that this new and improved Argentina, performing under the most extreme pressure, was his doing.

You have to assume that general manager Jorge Burrachaga, the man to whom the players turned after last week’s shambles against Croatia, has overseen this.

To be honest, who cares? Planet Football simply needs this Messi. The one with the fire in his boots. The one that can pirouette between players, lift his country and leave fans around the world with only a passing interest in the game bewitched.

Rojo on his winner

We needed it. Now the World Cup starts for us. I had told the boys I was going to score a goal.

After the match with Croatia, we came together more than ever.

(Image: AFP)

21:08

Messi speaks

We were confident we were going to win this game. It’s wonderful to have won it this way. It is a deserved win.

I knew God was with us and he wasn’t going to leave us out.

Argentina's Lionel Messi (Image: REUTERS)

21:01

An incredible finale in Rostov.

Argentina go through...and Nigeria go out.

Rojo is the most unlikely of heroes too - but somehow Sampaoli’s men are in the last 16.

They will now take on France on Saturday.

20:56

Thank you for joining us for the match. Until next time, goodbye.

20:55

Argentina have secured a clash against France in the round of 16, having finished second in the group behind Croatia. Nigeria's young side can be proud of their performance and the Super Eagles side will surely come back fighting in another tournament, as they have years ahead of them.

20:54

It was late, it was great and Argentina seal their spot in the knockout stages of the World Cup. They had to work hard to get it but, in the end, Marcos Rojo was the unlikely hero as Jorge Sampaoli's side live to fight on. A cruel blow to Nigeria, who were fantastic - particularly in the second half.

20:5390+5 minsminute by minute

FULL-TIME! NIGERIA 1-2 ARGENTINA

20:5390+4 minsminute by minute

Argentina running time down now and Messi earns a yellow card for wasting time.

20:52

Rojo steals it

Marcos Rojo of Argentina scores (Image: Getty Images Europe)

Marcos Rojo and Lionel Messi (Image: Getty Images Europe)

Marcos Rojo of Argentina celebrates (Image: Getty Images Europe)

20:5190+2 minsminute by minute

Third and final change for Nigeria as Musa, who has run himself into the ground in the match, is replaced by Simy.

20:5090+2 minsminute by minute

Even more noise from the Argentina supporters as news filters through that Croatia have retaken the lead against Iceland. Now all that can knock them out is a Nigeria equaliser.

20:5090+1 minsminute by minute

A late yellow card for Mikel, as Nigeria stand on the verge of an exit.

20:4990+1 minsminute by minute

We are into four minutes of added time.

20:4990 minsminute by minute

Iwobi, who scored a brace against Argentina in a 4-2 win back in November, is introduced for a late cameo in place of Omeruo.

20:4788 minsminute by minute

Argentina, as it stands, are through to the round of 16 by the skin of their teeth but the picture could change once again with just a single goal. It will certainly be a nervous finale.

20:47

Referee Cuneyt Cakir gestures (Image: REUTERS)

Gonzalo Higuain and Sergio Aguero react (Image: Reuters)

20:4686 minsminute by minute

GOOOOOOAL! Argentina lead 2-1! Rojo could be the hero! Mercado curls a superb cross into the middle where the Manchester United man tucks home superbly with his right foot. The roof has just lifted off the stadium!

20:4786 minsminute by minute

Mercado's deliver was pinpoint and an unlikely hero emerges for Argentina. A cruel blow for Nigeria.

20:4486 minsminute by minute

Meza tumbles in the box and Argentina desperately appeal for a penalty. Nigeria stand firm but it's still very finely balanced in St. Petersburg.

20:4385 minsminute by minute

WIDE! Big moment for Nigeria after Banega concedes a free-kick just outside the box and Etebo smashes an effort onto the roof of the net. Very, very close but Argentina fight on!

20:4283 minsminute by minute

SAVE! At the other end, Nigeria have a chance to take the lead and secure their spot in the knockout stages but Armani makes a crucial save to deny Ighalo.

20:3981 minsminute by minute

MISS! Was that the moment for Argentina? Rojo drills a low ball back into the middle of the penalty area where Higuain is lurking but he lashes his shot off target.

20:3880 minsminute by minute

Last roll of the dice for Sampaoli and it's not surprising to see Aguero take to the field. Tagliafico is replaced.

20:38

Should Nigeria have had a penalty?

Replays show Marcos Rojo headed the ball onto his own arm before Odion Ighalo fired wide.

The referee checked out VAR but decided against awarding a penalty.

Diego Maradona shows his support (Image: Getty Images Europe)

Victor Moses and Angel Di Maria (Image: AFP)

20:3778 minsminute by minute

The closing moments of Group D will be decided by very fine margins as Iceland have equalised against Croatia. They need to win to have a chance but it means a goal in either match could change the picture once again.

20:3577 minsminute by minute

No penalty! The correct decision in the end from the referee, it would have been very harsh. Common sense prevails and the action gets back underway.

20:3776 minsminute by minute

VAR is being consulted as Nigeria appeal for a handball and it certainly struck the arm of Rojo. It was headed down onto the arm and the referee has trotted to the touchline to assess the incident.

20:3475 minsminute by minute

WIDE! A huge miss for Nigeria! Musa finds space down the left and drills a low ball back into the middle, where the ball is deflected up in the air and then smashed at goal by Ighalo - but it's wide of the mark.

20:3274 minsminute by minute

The attitude from the Argentina fans inside the stadium has started to shift. They are starting to grow frustrated, knowing that their World Cup could be set to come to a premature end.